Robert Yates Racing’s David Gilliland and Ricky Rudd swept the front row for the Daytona 500 in Budweiser Pole Qualifying on Sunday at historic Daytona International Speedway.

Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 M&M’s Ford, claimed the pole for “The Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 18 by turning a fast lap time of 48.304 seconds, 186.320 mph. He will make his first career Daytona 500 start alongside his teammate Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 88 Snickers Ford, who posted a speed of 48.489, 185.487.

“You couldn’t ask for more as a rookie coming to Daytona for your first time,” said Gilliland, who finished a surprising second during Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of it and I’m really looking forward to Sunday and the Daytona 500.”

Rudd, who took a one-year break from full-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series racing, is excited to be back in contention for the Daytona 500.

“It feels really to come back and have a chance to align ourselves with the Yates team,” said Rudd. “I like what I feel and what’s going on.”

Three drivers that were fighting for a spot in the Daytona 500 guaranteed themselves a starting position in the race by posting the three fastest speeds among the driver outside the top 35 in the previous season’s owner’s points:

· Boris Said, driver of the No. 60 SoBe No Fear Energy Drink Ford

· Sterling Marlin, driver of the No. 14 Waste Management Chevrolet

· Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 70 Yellow Transportation/Haas Chevrolet.

The remaining teams that are outside the top 35 in owner’s points will fight over the four remaining Daytona 500 starting spots in Thursday’s Gatorade Duel At Daytona. A final Daytona 500 starting spot is reserved for a past NEXTEL Cup Series champion.

Among the drivers that will have to race their way into the Daytona 500 through the Gatorade Duel At Daytona include Michael Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Ward Burton, Joe Nemechek, Paul Menard, David Reutimann, Kirk Shelmerdine, AJ Allmendinger, Kenny Wallace, Brian Vickers, Derrike Cope and Regan Smith.

Another one that will be trying to race his way into the Daytona 500 will be 72-year old racing legend James Hylton. The former Rookie of the Year and driver of the No. 58 Retirement Living TV Chevrolet qualified 60th overall with a lap time of 50.101, 179.637.

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 DeWalt Ford, and Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, will start at the back of the second Gatorade Duel due to unapproved parts found during inspection.

SAN DIEGO — California Speedway president Gillian Zucker threw a heroes celebration for Nextel Cup Series Champion and California native Jimmie Johnson on Wednesday at the San Diego Hall of Champions.

Johnson was honored for his achievements and culminated with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders declaring Jan. 31 “Jimmie Johnson Day” in San Diego.

“We are pleased to have Jimmie Johnson right here in San Diego to celebrate his 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Championship,” Sanders said. “Proclaiming January 31st ‘Jimmie Johnson Day’ in San Diego will be a lasting tribute to our native son.”

“Winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship was one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” said Johnson, who won his first Cup Series race at California Speedway in 2002. “I often forget to look back at where I started and what I have accomplished. An event like [Wednesday] helps me do that.

“Being able to come back to San Diego to celebrate with family, friends and fans here, and from my hometown of El Cajon, is truly an honor. Since it’s ‘Jimmie Johnson Day’, I’d like to tell everyone they can have the rest of the day off.”

The standing-room only crowd cheered as Johnson made a surprise entrance, driving his No. 48 Chevrolet right into the San Diego Hall of Champions. After a brief introduction, Hall president Alan R. Kidd read a special letter from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Johnson also received a special proclamation from Rick Terazzas of congressman Duncan Hunter’s office and a County Proclamation from supervisors Ron Roberts and Dianne Jacob.

Zucker shared highlights of Johnson’s 2006 season leading up to his Cup Series victory, and commented on how excited San Diego was to embrace Johnson’s return.

“California Speedway couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring Jimmie to his hometown to celebrate,” Zucker said. “Jimmie’s integrity, professionalism and grit, on top of the fact that he’s a great driver, give him the heart and spirit of a true champion. There is no question, we as Southern Californians are very lucky to call him our own.”

Nextel Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was honored Monday in Washington, D.C. for his 2006 championship.

The day began with an Oval Office meeting with President George W. Bush, who congratulated Johnson on his victory. Johnson was joined by team owner Rick Hendrick, Lowe’s Corporation CEO Robert Niblock, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France and NASCAR president Mike Helton.

Following the White House visit, the group made its way up Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol building where they were greeted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

After that meeting, Johnson and the group made their way across the Capitol for a Senate reception led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Also in attendance to congratulate Johnson was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.).

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